African violet plant named Miami

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of African violet plant named Miami characterized by its vigorous growth habit, girl-type leaves which are heaving indented and serrated, 7-9 upright flower stems each of which carries 5-9 flowers which are intensive pink and two-tone in color, with the center of the flower being darker, and by its profuse flowering habit.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Africanviolet plant, botanically known as Saintpaulia ionantha, and namedMiami.

The new cultivar was referred to during the breeding and selectionprocess by the designation G 9/18, and is a product of a plannedbreeding program.

The new cultivar was originated from a cross made in a controlledbreeding program in Isselburg, West Germany. The female, or seed parentwas a cultivar designated D 150/2 Red Girl. The male, or pollen parentwas a cultivar designated D 134/11 Lilac Frilled.

The new cultivar Miami was discovered and selected by me as a floweringplant within the progeny of the stated cross in a controlled environmentin Isselburg, West Germany. Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar byleaf cuttings and by divison of shoots, as performed by me at Isselburg,West Germany, has demonstrated that the combination of characteristicsas herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmly fixed and areretained through successive generations of asexual reproduction.

Miami has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions.The phenotype may vary signficantly with variations in environment suchas temperature, light intensity and day length. The followingobservations, measurements and values describe the new cultivar as grownin Isselburg, West Germany, and Nashville, Tenn. under greenhouseconditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercialpractice.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic characteristics of Miami, which in combination distinguish thisAfrican violet as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Vigorous growth habit.

2. Attractive shiny leaves with bright centers (girl type).

3. Leaves heavily indented and serrated.

4. Seven to nine upright flower stems.

5. Five to nine flowers per stem.

6. Intensive pink, two-tone flower color.

7. Center of flower is darker in color.

8. Profuse flowering habits.

The accompanying photographic drawing shows a typical specimen plant ofthe new cultivar. The colors appearing in the photograph are as true aspossible with color illustrations of this type.

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.), except where general colorsof ordinary significance are referred to. Color values are taken undernatural light conditions at approximately 3 P.M. on November 30 inNashville, Tenn. When Miami is grown under cooler conditions, the flowercolor will be somewhat more intensive, and under relatively highfinishing temperatures, the flower color will fade somewhat.

Botanical classification: Saintpaulia ionantha, Ramat cv MIAMI

Parentage:

Male parent.--D 134/11 Lilac frilled.

Female parent.--D 150/2 Red Girl.

Propagation: The new cultivar holds its distinguishing characteristicsthrough successive propagations by leaf cuttings and by division ofshoots.

Plant: From 7 cm. to 9 cm. tall when grown in pots, and approximately20-23 cm. in diameter when fully grown.

Leaves.--General form: Round to heart-shape. Diameter: 60-65 mm.Texture: Leather-like. Aspect: Shiny, slightly hairy, indented. Veins:Well pronounced light green, shiny. Color (upperside): Yellow green, 147between A-B. Color (underside): Yellow green 147D. Petiole: Brownish.

Flowers.--Buds: Ball shape, intensive red purple color. Sepals: 5, longand spear shape, and greenish brown in color. Calyx: Flat funnel.Peduncle: Wire-like.

Individual flowers.--Size: 40 mm. Color: Red purple, center slightlydarker. Upperside: Red purple, Group 74 between C-D. Underside: Redpurple, Group 74D. Borne: On upright wire-like petals. Shape: Violetshape. Flowering time: 12-13 weeks after potting.

Reproductive organs.--Anthers: 2 anthers composed by 4 cells. Filaments:Light green. Styles: Red purple glassy stigma.

Roots.--White when young and active; brownish when older.

Disease resistance.--Good as experienced to date.

General observations: Miami is a girl type variety with attractive darkgreen leaves which have a bright green center. There ar 7-9 wire-likeflower stems each of which carries 9 and more single pink flowers, withan additional flower petal occasionally appearing in the center. Themature plant has a full flower head and is saleable 11-12 weeks afterpotting.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of African violet plant namedMiami, as described and illustrated, and particularly characterized byits vigorous growth habit, girl-type leaves which are heavily indentedand serrated, 7-9 upright flower stems each of which carries 5-9 flowerswhich are intensive pink and two-tone in color, with the center of theflower being darker, and by its profuse flowering habit.